PMO

​​Two more officials will also be with Gopalakrishnan in the home department, as per work distribution at the PMO from June 3. The governance 1 vertical, which has home affairs, will report to PM’s advisor Bhaskar Khulbe, who will report to PK Sinha, the principal advisor to the PM.

Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister P K Mishra chaired the meeting of the empowered groups of officers set up to tackle the challenges arising out of COVID-19. The meeting reviewed and expressed satisfaction on the detailed testing protocol and procedure, under which 1,45,916 samples have been tested across the country till date.

The fiercest cyclone to hit West Bengal in 100 years destroyed mud houses and crops, uprooted trees and electric poles. It also wreaked havoc in Odisha, killing at least six people and damaging power and telecom infrastructure in several coastal districts. Odisha government officials estimated the cyclone has affected around 44.8 lakh people in the state.

The committee has been formed under Principal Scientific advisor Professor Vijay Raghavan. The committee is said to have been the driving force to develop coronavirus patient tracker mobile Aarogya Setu.

People aware of the matter told ET that in its report submitted to the PMO on May 14, the group has recommended framing of an immediate standard operating procedure (SOP) on migrant workers with specific measures for labourers who have stayed back and others who have returned to their homes. It also suggests a district-level authority to address their grievances.

The same has been done with an eye on reviving the economy and focussing on the MSME sector, the two focus areas of the government while the country sees a phased exit from the lockdown. Their replacements at the PMO were not immediately announced – Bajaj and Sharma, both from the 1988 batch, were the only additional secretaries posted at the PMO and handled a host of responsibilities.

With the Indian airspace remaining closed for domestic and international passenger flights, the bodies have sought intervention of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) for devising a strategy to bring back such "essential supply workers".

Every minister is expected to hold daily meetings and take regular updates in districts he is dealing with. Most district collectors and health authorities have begun to send in a daily update and report by noon or early evening to the ministers.

The Noida administration, on May 3, issued an order under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, mandating those residing or entering Noida to install Aarogya Setu, failing which they would be criminally prosecuted under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code.

The joint letter, sent through PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), has sought the PM’s intervention for smooth movement of all foods and beverages, agri-products and packaging material to avoid shortage and unnecessary panic among consumers.